Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1920. A LOCAL NEED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15220, 19 May 1920, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1920. A LOCAL NEED.

Readiness to contribute to every worthy ; cause has long been a characteristic of the civic life of this community. Wo saw it exemplified witli great spontahiety and generosity during the war period, and we have seen it since ,m various collections that have boe.ii taken up for the Solvation Army self-denial fund', m which Gisborne \ still maintains a proud record, for the Magistrate's fund to help relieve pressing cases of ■ distress, and more- recently hi tlie movement for the. establishment of a girls' hostel. It would he a p'ty'if this spirit of generosity were allowed to atrophy. People leaiuicd during the war to think of otliers and to give, and we believe that m the new era of peace and' reoonst ruction they have ori "y to be told of necessary public requirements deserving of sympathetic support to enlist their full and gonierous ass's tan Le. on-> such has been brought under our notice. It is tho need for a children's convalescent home — a bright sunny p'.ace, where sickly children recovering from ailments may receive ■■efficient care rmd be nourished and strengthened for the. battle of life. Tho Plunket nurse m her ministrations finds many such little ones— delicate wee children who are -not getting a square j dea! m life. In some cases poverty* m others the incapacity or lack of know-

ledge of the parents'?, prevents the little mites gaining the stability of constitution which proper care and feedrag would «ivc them, and they thus .becoWie hftiruUcapped for lite. There are many ca.s?s passing through, the- public hospital where delicate children after convalescence go back tq' home's 'where -it is quite impossible for them to obtain the attention that they need for a' long period after their illnesses. Only the medical men and nurses handling these cases appreciate the boon that a,- children's •convalescent home would be., The population of Gisborne is growing, ; and ther© are unfortunately om.y too'mriny cases m which sickly * children , are "di'agged up." The ncuteness of the bousing problem adds to j -the .'serious plight of such children, and we are .sure, that if charitable-minded people, would make inquiry into this aspect of our civic life, they would discover a. great ne:?d for a home such as we haiYe suggested. Napier, ' to its credit, [hd^homes foi* both boys audi girls. GiSborti©. 'it is true, haß a creche, which; through "tJie splendid zeal of., a few ladi'esy ihjjis ■ "dbfte wonderfully good work-in caiing^fp'r young children who are without. parenta or whose parents are awaiy h*6m 'H&Ate. The creohe, however, cannot be exp^c|ed to minister to the hfcd we are indijcaft'ijig — the care of the weaklings,- wbo are jriofc ill enough perhaps to be sent to^br'remain m hospital, and yet wlio need; a, great deal of mothering, .feeding up, and proper attention: Such a home.-must have skilled, sympathetic .nurste ". m charge, and the brightest and most healthful surroundings. The late ,Mr William Cooper set aside a splendid section m {gijmpter Toiyrfship, : "Wainui beach, as a" site for a convalescent hoftic, and this might. prove admirably adapted to the purpose ; of a' children's - . home. Throughout the British, Umpire to-day it is recognised* that there is a. superlative need to save the children, aitlid.* to raise vtheni up into strong, vigorous niarihood and "womanhood. ■ If weyare.Jto meet the stress of foreign, com'petiiloh;in the future we must hare'; more popuintion and our population must ; be' healthy and strong. The met! ical examinations conducted' during . enlistment idiow'ecHhsit New Zealand, as well as Britain*, had too many C 5 menV We;shall'vhaye;'le?a of these m future if w& cab bi'gftliiso schemes to take care of the- children and give them the fullest chance..<*fdepelopment. Gisborne would he' doihg its part m a. great natioiiai, uplift if it established homes for children such. as we have suggested. We feel that -the proposal only needs to be ; brought before the generous people of the to receive ready acceptance 1 and support.